A quick overview of this thread finds proponents of Shimano, Daiwa & Pflueger...and rightly so.

The biggest headbutt is probably between Shimano and Daiwa. Naturally, I have my personal favorites,

but try to keep them out of recommendations. To be fair & equitable, Daiwa appears to wear the crown

for casting distance, whereas Shimano gets the nod for braking system. 

 

Roger

 

 

I checked my closet, and realized that the "Cabela's" Tournament ZX 4000 I have had for 5 years is actually a Diawa (confirmed via sticker under reel foot). As an added bonus, it was made in China (that is sarcasm).  Evidently these are no longer made, but the Diawa BG series looks almost identical. I have never especially liked this reel, but in all honesty, it might just be the line I have on it (12# of unknown lineage). I am tempted to switch from mono to a braided superline for pike. It is a medium large reel, with the "air rotor", but I don't recall ever testing it by actually catching a good fish on it.

I looked at the Daiwa SS series, and am thinking to order one and try it (Yes, I am "old school").

It seems funny, I don't hesitate to spend $100 (or more) on a good fly line, but always agonize over the same price for a reel.

Thanks for all the input.

21 hours ago, OkobojiEagle said:

Pflueger Supreme XT

X2

21 hours ago, Whatever said:

I checked my closet, and realized that the "Cabela's" Tournament ZX 4000 I have had for 5 years is actually a Diawa (confirmed via sticker under reel foot). As an added bonus, it was made in China (that is sarcasm).  Evidently these are no longer made, but the Diawa BG series looks almost identical. I have never especially liked this reel, but in all honesty, it might just be the line I have on it (12# of unknown lineage). I am tempted to switch from mono to a braided superline for pike. It is a medium large reel, with the "air rotor", but I don't recall ever testing it by actually catching a good fish on it.

I looked at the Daiwa SS series, and am thinking to order one and try it (Yes, I am "old school").

It seems funny, I don't hesitate to spend $100 (or more) on a good fly line, but always agonize over the same price for a reel.

Thanks for all the input.

I do the same, but then, with a fly fishing setup nothing will pooch a day faster than a bad line unless you get extreme like a broken rod, I get a similar feeling with reels for non fly gear, I can fish a rod with a busted tip, or change lines on spinning/casting gear cheap, but a busted reel is the end of the day for that combo unless you happen to have a spare lying around. 

You are correct, but I usually take 4 rods in the boat, 2 for fly, and two for spinning.

Times are certainly changing, as a kid, we utilized the traditional "Tenkara" Fishing rod (a 12' bamboo pole with 10' of cheap mono tied on the end).I see it's back in vogue now, but somewhat more expensive.